Limit image planes to certain views
The functionality that is missing would be to see one reference image on every perspective. And yes you can no longer hide the image when you leave the front ortho view.

The easiest possibility is to set up a separate camera in Front-Ortho view and add a background image to the specific camera. If you leave the camera view the image will no longer be visible



To approximate what you want to achieve with a reference image you have to insert the image in "Front" View so the normal is aligned with the y-axis.Looking at the settings shown in this answer:



You have to uncheck "Display Perspective" so it doesn't show up in perspective view, And make sure you have "Front" Selected in the "Side" selector so it is transparent from the back.

You will however always see the outline of the plane.